‘I’m dead, don’t prosecute me’

Mohamed Zamir pretended he was dead to try to avoid prosecution for the rear extension on his three-bedroom terrace house in Southampton Street without planning permission

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A dad-of-eight who built this illegal extension on his Katesgrove house failed in a bid to reduce his £6,000 fine.

Mohamed Zamir pretended he was dead to try to avoid prosecution for the rear extension on his three-bedroom terrace house in Southampton Street without planning permission.

Zamir, who turned up late to Reading Crown Court on Friday for his hearing, had built the extension to the family home in 2006 without permission on the basis that everyone else in the street had built similar extensions without planning permission.

But the former roof tiler’s extension was too big to be exempt from planning consent and despite trying to insist it was a garage, he was ordered to knock it down by Reading Borough Council who inspected the building and noted it had plumbing and electricity as well as a back door rather than a garage door.

Zamir, who claimed he was illiterate and said his son dealt with the paperwork for the extension, was then reported to have died in Pakistan in March 2008 in a letter sent to Reading Borough Council, but he made no comment about the letter in the hearing.

Council officials ordered Zamir to demolish the extension in 2007 but three years on and the building was still almost intact with only the windows and doors missing after the defendant claimed he could not afford to pay for it to be taken down.

He was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs but in failing his appeal last week has had an extra £250 added to his bill.

Edward Elton, prosecuting, said: “The money used prosecuting this case has taken away from other planning jobs for officers in Reading. It has been a timely and expensive case. Mr Zamir has been extremely forthright in his letters to make it clear he would not allow anyone on his property claiming it would be trespassing. This extension if left would add tens of thousands of pounds to the value of this property.”

Andrew Storch, defending, said the extension had been built as the house was not big enough for all the eight children who were now aged between 21 and 34.

He said: “A two-storey extension was permitted by the council but the rear extension was too big to be approved. He accepts it was a mistake.

“Unfortunately, what happened after was a catalogue of financial catastrophes and the demolition that was due to be done had to be cancelled. He is a man on benefits and cannot afford to demolish it.”

But Judge John Reddihough, who refused the application, said the value of the house was enough to mean Zamir could pay the fine imposed originally alongside the extra costs.

He said: “The property must have a substantial market value even with the demolition which must take place and therefore the fine must be paid.”